Developing a Composting Program Presented by Konrad Fichtner, P. Eng. Compost Council of Canada Workshop – Montreal, Quebec February 18, 2010
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Developing a Composting Program Presented by Konrad Fichtner, P. Eng. Compost Council of Canada Workshop – Montreal, Quebec February 18, 2010
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Getting the Ball Rolling
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You have decided to expand your diversion programs
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Organics have been selected as the low hanging fruit
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Composting is the preferred technology
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What is the process going forward?
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The Process: GO •
Which organics to extract?
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From what sources and how much?
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How to collect?
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Where to take them? (site)
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How to process the organics? (technology)
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What will it cost? What is our revenue?
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REALITY CHECK
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Repeat if necessary – ITERATIONS ARE NORMAL
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Supplementary Questions
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Who will own the facility?
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Who will operate the compost facility?
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What enabling local legislation is required?
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What kind of education program is needed?
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Which Organics to Extract? •
Compostable materials are the largest portion of the residual waste stream – – – – –
Yard and garden Kitchen Contaminated paper Clean wood Biosolids
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Which are left to collect?
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Which are already managed/diverted?
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Sources of Organics •
Residential waste stream – –
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ICI – – –
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Kitchen waste Yard and garden Restaurants Grocery stores Food processing
Other – –
WWTP Biosolids ?
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Residual Waste Stream Sources
DLC 37%
Residential 21%
ICI 42%
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Organics in the Waste Stream
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Collection Options Residential •
Residential collection – – –
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Determine frequency of collection Select types of containers Consider automated or semi-automated collection vehicles • Organics are heavy Look at split packer trucks to reduce truck traffic and emissions
If collection is contracted out –
Allow haulers to bid on collection of recyclables, waste and organics in one contract
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Example of Efficient Collection Arrangement
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Collection Options ICI - Multifamily
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Considerable planning and consultation needed – – – –
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Extra space required for additional bins Staff training needed Education for multi family residents Hygiene issues
Contract changes or new contracts with haulers Are transfer stations or modification to transfer stations needed?
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Technology Selection
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Technology depends on type and volume of organics – – –
–
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Food waste requires in-vessel system Yard and garden materials can be windrowed Yard and garden may be needed as amendment for food organics Seasonal variation needs to be considered
Technology also depends on location – –
Sensitivity of local receptors to odours Availability of land
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Technology types •
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Static piles (not suitable for SSO) Turned windrows (unsuitable for SSO)
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Aerated static piles
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Covered aerated static piles
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In-vessel systems: – Bays, beds and tunnels – Containerized systems
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Turned Windrows
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Covered Aerated Static Pile (GORE)
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Covered Aerated Static Pile (Ag-Bag)
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In-Vessel Technology Examples •
Right: Edmonton Compost Facility, aeration hall
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Left: Transform Compost System
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In-Vessel Technology Examples •
Below: Wright compost system
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Above: Modular container composting
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In-Vessel Technology Examples (Christiansen)
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In-Vessel Technology Examples •
Right: ICC
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Left: HotRot
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Site Selection
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BANANA = build absolutely nothing anywhere near anyone
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Distance to receptors is critical
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Many compost plants failed because of odours
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Maintain large buffers (or massive air control)
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Good road access and minimized hauling distances
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Utilities needed (power and water)
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Revenues
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Conduct market study –
– –
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Project volume of compost based on preferred technology and selected technology Assess value of compost in local market Confirm product finishing requirements
Determine potential revenue from the sale of compost – – – – –
Bulk sales Bagging operations and sales Agricultural purposes Landscaping and home applications Other uses Client logo
Costs
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Capital costs vary widely depending on selected technology – –
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Open windrows lowest cost option Aerated and covered static piles moderately pricey, but may be limited to 3 seasons In vessel systems most costly
Operating costs similar for most systems, but some variations depending on technology – – –
Factor in additional collection costs Consider costs to transport end product to market Include administration and management
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Cost Comparison Example $25,000 Aerated Static Piles
Cost (000s)
$20,000
In-Vessel
$15,000
Based on 22,000 tonnes SSO & equal quantity of amendment. Total capacity = 44,000 tonnes
$10,000
$5,000
$0 Total capital cost
Annual operating cost
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REALITY CHECK
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Can we afford this? –
Will our residents and business pay?
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How much waste are we diverting from landfill?
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How much CO2 are we avoiding?
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If necessary, back to GO and re-assess decisions on organics removal and technologies
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Facility Ownership •
Municipality, or regional district owned –
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Privately owned? –
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Hi degree of control over feedstock, technology and cost
Privately owned facilities will require long term contracts for organic feedstock
Public Private Partnership? –
Depends on degree of control desired and available funding
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Enabling Legislation
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Feedstock supply to compost operation must be ensured Some regions ban certain organic wastes to force it into composting Collection contracts may require materials to be taken to a certain facility Flow control is theoretically possible, but may be challenged in the courts
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Final Analysis – the Triple Bottom Line •
What are the economic benefits/costs of the proposed initiative? – –
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What are the environmental benefits? – – –
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Landfill space saved Revenues vs. costs Reduced landfill leachate and gas GHG sequestration or avoidance Soil amendment
